Government Notes (Principles of Limited Government)

The genius of the U.S Constitution is that it spreads the power of government both within the national government and between the federal government and state governments.

1. Federalism 

In our system of government, some powers of government belong only to the federal government, while others belong only to the state governments. still other powers are shared by both levels of government.

2. Separation of Powers

The powers of government are divided among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

3. Checks and Balances

Each of the three branches of government has ways to check, or limit, the powers of the other branches.

The Power is Divided into Three Branches

-Executive branch enforces laws (President and departments).

The Legislative and Judicial branches keep the Executive branches "on check".

They can do certain things in order to keep each branch from obtaining too much power.

The Legislative branch can:  

• impeach and remove the president 
• can override "veto"
• Controls spending of money
• Senate can refuse to confirm presidential appointments and ratify treaties

The Judicial branch can:

• Can declare executive acts unconstitutional 
• Judges, appointed for life, are free from executive control